The Skinny Confidential: A Babe's Sexy, Sassy Health and Lifestyle Guide (16 page)

I mean, it’s not rocket science. If your partner orders eggs Benedict, is it necessary for you to order it, too? Absolutely not. Why? Because most likely, you’re going to steal a few bites of his hollandaise-covered eggs anyway. Order yourself something light like scrambled eggs and a side of fruit; that way, a few bites of his order are no big deal. Having a boyfriend around really works to a healthy girl’s advantage: They tend to order the decadent foods, making it easy for you to make guilt-free choices. You’ll enjoy your meal with the option to steal a few bites of his. I call these “taste tests.” Utilizing a partner for a taste test works like a charm. Instead of feeling deprived, have a taste test (this equals a few bites), and move on with your life.

Are you totally into exercise? While you’re exercising, does your partner lie on the couch like a fat, lazy slob? Sound familiar? Please, oh, please do
not
change up your regular workout routine because of your boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, dad, mom, neighbor, etc. Your sweat sesh should always be about you.

But it never hurts to play the invite card.

I present the invitation: “Hunny? Yoga at noon?” If he goes, great. If he declines, not my problem. If you’re with someone who isn’t into working out, don’t let his or her mindset dictate your exercise regime. I find exercising extremely therapeutic, and if I don’t get my therapy, I’m a real bitch. No one wants to date a bitch; therefore, working out makes me a better partner. If your man loves to work out, then do it together. Take hikes, walk the dog, play tennis, join the same gym or ride bikes! Research shows that couples who work out together, stay together. Sweating together will improve your sex life, create a healthy competition and promote positive vibes.

SOME EXAMPLES OF COUPLE-FRIENDLY, AT-HOME EXERCISES:

P90X
^®
:
This workout video is available online. Pop this baby into the DVD player and sweat for an hour a day with your partner. Don’t have one? Grab a friend.

Strength training:
This is one of the most effective workouts! Think a half hour of on-the-floor abs, lunges, squats and arm workouts with 5-pound to 10-pound/2- to 5-kg weights (Don’t have weights at home? Substitute water bottles), running in place or bicycle sit-ups. Use the Nike
^®
app if you want more direction. I’m obsessed with the Nike
^®
app because it personalizes each workout. For instance, the app’s choices are: get lean, get toned, get strong or get focused. Your man can choose a customized “strong workout” while you sweat next to him with the “get lean workout.” It’s like having a personal trainer (there are about a hundred different workouts available) anywhere, anytime.

COOL? DUH.

Boxing:
Pick up some gloves at the nearest Target and spar off with a partner. This workout keeps the heart rate up and strengthens the upper body. Maintain a lunging position to work the legs.

Pilates and yoga:
Hello, YouTube! Make use of the Internet; there’s free access to a ton of Pilates and yoga workouts. Grab two yoga mats with your man and try de-stressing with light stretching and these Zen-like exercises. For an extra challenge, add push-ups, a few planks and tricep dips.

Sex:
Ya. I went there. Sex = major calorie burning. Plus, it’s fun.

And honestly, if your boy doesn’t want to participate in healthy choices, then his loss. Besides, sometimes it’s more fun to sweat by yourself anyway. You’ll get time to yourself to focus on your own goals. Sucks for him!

Most importantly, be a role model for your partner. Eat clean, drink lots of water and sweat. Sooner or later he’ll catch on to a healthy lifestyle.

See? There’s absolutely no excuse for love chub!

So repeat after me: Just because your boy toy eats like shit, doesn’t mean you eat like shit!

12
LEARN IT,
LIVE IT, LOVE IT

No excuses.

Today’s the day.

The day to make some small changes that will have positive effects on the rest of your life.

From here on out, you’re setting the tone for
YOUR
life. No one can do it for you.

Use your newfound confidence to create a healthy, happy life for yourself, your family and/or your friends.

When it comes to eating, make a commitment to know what’s in your food.

Don’t eat something out of habit or because you’re sad or happy or bored. Eat it because it’s beneficial to your health or it’s delicious. If you’re craving a slice of cake, have a slice and move on. Stop making food such a big deal.

Eat to live, don’t live to eat.

If I can leave you with one food tip, it’s this: If you’re going to make the decision to put something with no nutrition into your mouth, then at least add nutrients to it.

EXAMPLES?

If you’re eating a slice of pizza, add arugula, red onion, jalapeño slices and/or avocado.

If you’re drinking coffee, add a good fat like all-natural, organic coconut milk, instead of sick-ass creamer.

If you’re drinking alcohol, keep the added ingredients fresh (lemon, lime and blood orange cocktail, anyone?).

If you’re eating cake, include a hefty side of berries.

After a while, you’ll see that processed food really isn’t that cool.

That routine cup of pasteurized orange juice doesn’t taste as delicious as a cup of fresh-pressed green juice.

And maybe that bag of chips isn’t as satisfying as a delicious baked sweet potato.

Forget about sick-o, store-bought sauces and dressings and start making your own. Get interested in what you’re fueling your body with because the cold, hard truth is NO ONE is going to do it for you.

And when it comes to beauty, you’re probably not always going to be able to find organic makeup and hair products, but if it’s available, use it.

Rock your outfits—don’t let them rock you.

Try to minimize your exposure to chemicals and nasty additives. And use SPF on the reg.

LITTLE CHANGES GO A LONG WAY.

Lastly, make an effort to sweat once a day (hey, sex counts!). Get your heart rate up and let those endorphins fly through your body. If you can get your partner to join you, you’re a star. Live a healthy, happy life.

Because at the end of the day, life’s about balance.

Balance is sustainable.

Balance is sexy.

Balance is a lifestyle.

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

xx,

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my dad, Brad, for bringing out my entrepreneurial spirit. You’ve always believed in me and I love you so much!

I want to thank my stepmom, Julie, for constantly keeping me inspired. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. Also, my sisters, Faye and Mimi, and my brother, Myles, for always making me laugh—like really, really LOL. Thanks for keeping family dinners entertaining.

To an amazing mom, who always created the most beautiful, healthful, organic meals. Thank you for teaching me how to modify foods!

To my Nanz (AKA my sexy grandma), Mary Evarts, thank you for being my bestie. You’re my absolute favorite.

A gazillion thanks to my godparents, Michael Bell (a kitchen guru!) and Jennifer Bell, who have become an extension of my family. You’ve been amazing role models, especially when it comes to healthy living. Love you both. Thaaannnkkkk you!

To the four people who helped to guide me every step of the way: my publisher, William Kiester; project editor, Marissa Giambelluca; designer, Meg Baskis; and literary agent, Marilyn Allen. I could not have done any of this without you four.

Huge thank you to Basil Vargas. Your photography gave the book color and life. And to a fantastic copy editor, Carol Terman Polakowski.

And thanks to Thomas Fitzsimmons, the best mentor for writing a book. Without you, I’d be screwed! Seriously, though!

I’m forever grateful to: Chris Keach (the webmaster!); Gary and Lisa Bosstick (both of you are always so supportive); and the Vogts, the Buells, and the Samays (love all of you!).

To all my sex kitten super babes—Briana, Lauren, Jackie, Tara, Jordan, Carly, Jacqueline, Stefanie, Tina, Annie, Elena, Rachel, Westin, Mark, Stephen, Dante, Rocco, Jeff, Farley and Ian—MWAH! You all kick ass.

To an insane business partner, Erica, who’s helped make our blogging consulting biz a well-oiled machine. Love, love, love you!

To Steve Houck: You’ve believed in me since the second I meet you. Thank you for understanding my humor and totally “getting me.” Your well-prepared PowerPoint presentation two years ago on The Skinny Confidential’s brand has kept me focused and inspired. You’re a life-long friend and I love you!

To my trainer, Mike, who makes sure there’s no cheese on my ass!

Thank you times a mil to the readers of The Skinny Confidential, who continue to make blogging super F-ing fun.

And, of course, to my hearts, and the true loves of my life: the handsome Michael Bosstick and the most gorgeous Chihuahua in the world, Pixy Bean, who’s definitely the best “spooner” ever.